New Affiliate: KCCK Cedar Rapids, Iowa!!
Yo listen up! Our second new affiliate in as many months!! KCCK 88.3 FM, Cedar Rapids has just added Café Jazz to their weekend program schedule!! Relax and get energized as the hippest show on radio takes to the air on Iowa's only full-time jazz radio station, beginning in June, Saturdays at 5 AM. Café Jazz remains the only program that's so good you'll want to wake up early just to enjoy it!!

Showcase CD
Elixir - Pamela Williams:
Although she has just recently relocated to Atlanta, Pamela Williams had resided in California since the late 80s. Nonetheless, Pam's youth growing up in Philadelphia was primarily responsible for moulding her musical identity. One of her earliest influences was Grover Washington. Although she embraced both contemporary and traditional forms of jazz while in high school it was Grover's cutting-edge blend of jazz and R&B that first instilled Williams with an interest in that style of playing. She moved to LA in 1989, and prior to launching her career as a solo performer, Pam was featured with both Patti Labelle and Teena Marie. A multi-talented artist who plays flute as well as a little piano, Williams made an impressive debut in 1996 with The Saxtress. On subsequent releases Williams has continued to refine her stylish blend of Latin, jazz, R&B, hip-hop, and house, to the extent that her name belongs among the very best in the genre.

Elixir, Pam's sixth and latest cd, is another masterpiece. The new project once again matches Williams' talents with those of saxman David Mann. This marks the third occasion the two have collaborated thus continuing the strong tradition established on The Perfect Love, Pam's Shanachie Records debut and continued on Sweet Saxations. While Mann contributes some amazing textures on keys and produces three selections, Pam's own flair for casting musical spells is what makes this album a winner. As evidence, we offer a trio of tracks that represent some of the project's finest moments and I know you're gonna love'em all.

An uplifting original entitled Rise launches the feature. Give Me What You Got, Pam's awesome cover of the Al Jarreau classic from 1980, kicks-off hour 2. Meanwhile it's Rejuvination, an immediate all-time favourite, that's been reserved for the program finale. The latter track is another original composition while all three feature Pam's exclusive instrumentation. In addition, Williams produced the tracks, as she continues to develop that aspect of her musicality. Nevertheless, Pam's sax work best demonstrates the scope of her genius. Subtle, sensual, & sophisticated, this latest album rather convincingly confirms a long-held belief. Say what you will, above all else Ms Williams is indeed the first lady of sax!!

CD: Elixir
Label: Shanachie Entertainment Corp.
Site: Pamela Williams ; Shanachie

Look What's Happened - Shilts:
Paul Weimar earned his unusual nickname because of a vigorous display following a poor goal in an English soccer match allowed by a goaltender named Shilts. Subsequently, whenever he played, Weimar would respond to shouts of "Shilts" in a rather animated fashion. Making a name on the British soul funk scene first with Brand New Heavies, Weimar was later recruited by Stuart Wade for Down To The Bone. As Shilts, he's recorded and toured as the group's front man for the past several years. Back in 2001, Weimar issued a solo debut called See What Happens, which earned him a nomination as best new smooth jazz artist for the year. Now after a somewhat lengthy absence, he's just released Head Boppin'. From that effort, we have Look What's Happened the suitably titled lead single !!

CD: HeadBoppin
Label: ARTizen Music
Site: Shilts ; ARTizen

House Call - Nestor Torres:
The Miami based flautist has been a perennial favourite in smooth jazz since he released his debut in 1990. In spite of a severe boating accident in which his lungs were crushed, Torres found strength to resume playing thru the practice of Buddhism. With a catalogue that is on the verge of reaching double figures, Dances Prayers and Meditations for Peace is his latest and from that effort we have a fabulous uptempo piece called House Call !!

CD: Dances, Prayers & Meditations For Peace
Label: Heads Up International
Site: Torres ; Torres/Heads Up

What Does It Take (To Win Your Love) - Peter White:
Following the success of his Reflections cd now well over 12 years ago, White happened across some of the out takes from that project and discovered almost a complete album's worth of material. Whipping back into the studio, Peter finished recordings Playin' Favourites, covers of some his personal favourite tracks. With a release date that is imminent, we have Peter's cover of the old Junior Walker hit from 1969, and the advance single !!

CD: Playin' Favorites
Label: Columbia
Site: Peter White

Easy Does It - Oli Silk:
Over the past 10 years or so, keyboardist Oliver Silk has been laying the groundwork for what promises to be an auspicious release. Silk first came to our attention here on this side of the water as one-half of Sugar & Silk, a creative duo in which he shared star billing with bassist and long time friend Danny Sugar; they issued a pair of releases in the UK. Silk's name next surfaced in 2004, this time on the debut from sax man James Vargas; Silk was the album's producer, shared in the writing credits, and appeared on all the tracks. This now sets the stage for Oli's own solo debut on which serves up a lush and simmering brew that is nothing less than quintessential smooth jazz !!

CD: So Many Ways
Label: trippin 'N' Rhythm Records
Site: trippin ; Sugar and Silk

In The Grove - Gumbi Ortiz:
For the past 19 years, Gumbi Ortiz (pronounced Goombi) has been the percussionist with renowned fusion guitar great Al Di Meola. Now for his solo debut, the former New Yorker has gathered an impressive cast of players in fashioning a tribute to his adopted home state of Florida.

Ortiz, who spoke no English until grammar school, took up the sax in honor of his sax playing father, but felt more at home on percussion instruments, which he has played since he was eight. Hearing Santana's debut album opened Ortiz's mind to the possibilities of blending Latin and pop music.

Although he's helped guide several projects, Miami marks Ortiz's first release under his own name. Appearing in support of the charismatic conguero are Jeff Lorber, Di Meola, and Eric Marienthal among others as Ortiz dishes a refreshing multi-cultural blend that mixes Latin, Cuban and Caribbean music. From that release we have In The Groove highlighted by the sax work of Jay Beckenstein !!

BTW, Miami gets our early nod for the best album cover for the year !

CD: Miami
Label: KWIP Music
Site: Gumbi Ortiz ; Latino Projekt